Archive · 2 Nov 2025
Odisha SI Exam Scam Mastermind Arrested, Denies Involvement
Police have arrested Shankar Prusty, who they believe is the main person behind a cheating scandal for police jobs in Odisha.
He was caught near the border of Nepal while trying to leave the country.
Prusty claims he is innocent and that others conspired to cancel the exam.
He says he was not hiding but was seeking legal help.
His company, Panchsoft Technologies, was involved in conducting the exam.
The scam involved leaking test questions to job seekers who paid large amounts of money, between 20 to 25 lakh rupees.
Because of this cheating, the police exam was canceled.
Many people, including job aspirants, have been arrested.
The government is now asking a bigger agency to investigate the scam because it may involve people from different states.
Shankar Prusty, the alleged mastermind of the Odisha SI recruitment scam, has been arrested near the Nepal border in Uttarakhand.
Prusty, director of Panchsoft Technologies, claims he is falsely implicated and that those who conspired to cancel the exam will be exposed.
The scam involved allegedly leaking question papers for the recruitment of 933 Sub-Inspector posts, leading to the examination's postponement.
Aspirants allegedly paid between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to middlemen for leaked question papers and original certificates.
The state government has recommended a CBI probe into the suspected multi-crore scam due to its potential interstate involvement.
- Who
- Shankar Prusty, alleged mastermind and director of Panchsoft Technologies.
- What
- Arrested for his alleged role in the Odisha SI recruitment scam, involving leaked question papers and demanding large sums from aspirants.
- When
- Arrested near the Nepal border, brought to Bhubaneswar on Saturday.
- Where
- Uttarakhand, near the Nepal border.
- Why
- Accused of orchestrating a scam that leaked question papers for the Odisha SI recruitment examination.
Crime Branch Allegations
Shankar Prusty's Defense
Mastermind of Scam
Crime Branch Allegations
Shankar Prusty is accused of being the mastermind behind the Odisha SI recruitment scam, orchestrating the leak of question papers and demanding substantial payments from aspirants.
Shankar Prusty's Defense
Prusty denies any involvement, claiming he is being falsely implicated and was pursuing legal remedies (anticipatory bail) rather than hiding. He states he has no links with other accused.
Reasons for Being Underground
Crime Branch Allegations
Prusty allegedly went underground after the scam surfaced and was arrested while reportedly preparing to flee to Dubai, having fled to Nepal via Delhi earlier.
Shankar Prusty's Defense
Prusty claims he was not hiding but was pursuing legal remedies and that his wife is not involved in any case. He asserts full faith in the judiciary.
- Accused Name
- Shankar Prusty
- Allegation
- Mastermind of Odisha SI recruitment examination scam
- Company
- Director of Panchsoft Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
- Arrest Location
- Near Nepal border, Uttarakhand
- Recruitment Exam
- Odisha Police Sub-Inspector (SI) examination
- Exam Posts
- 933
- Amount Charged
- Between Rs 20 lakh and Rs 25 lakh per candidate
Sources
Mastermind of Odisha SI Recruitment Scam Nabbed Near Nepal Border
Odisha police recruitment scam ‘mastermind’ arrested on his way to cross Nepal border
Mastermind of Odisha’s sub-inspector recruitment scam nabbed from India-Nepal border
Mastermind of Odisha sub-inspector recruitment scam arrested near India-Nepal border after month-long hunt
Mastermind Of Odisha SI Recruitment Scam Arrested Near India-Nepal Border
